Kelly Shoppach Goes Yard Again In Rays Victory

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 7, 2010 7:02 PM EST

Seemingly jealous of new teammate Sean Rodriguez, Kelly Shoppach is doing is best to steal some attention. Shoppach belted a two-run home run to give the Raysthe lead for the second straight day. Shoppach started at designated hitter with Dioner Navarro getting the duties behind the plate.

Navi also had a nice day at the plate going 3-3 with a double. The Rays won the game in the 10th inning on the strength of five straight hits including the go-ahead RBI by Angel Chavez. Mr. Chavez, this is your spring training moment...enjoy it while it lasts.

On the mound, James Shields threw 2.2 innings of shutout ball. The presumed opening day starter allowed three hits (all singles) and two walks. Shields was relieved by Jake McGee.

McGee has looked really good so far (at least in box scores) as he continues his comeback from Tommy John Surgery. The lefty tossed 1.1 innings allowing just one hit and struck out two more batters. The other interesting pitcher to watch today was Joaquin Benoit. Like McGee, Benoit missed all of last season, and has looked good so far. He was greeted to today's contest with a solo home run by Jimmy Rollins, however, he settled down over the rest of his 1.1 innings which included a strikeout.

Four in a row...Championship!

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

McGee looked really good

I was sitting in the first row behind the plate today and his fastball was electric. He was just blowing it by goes. He looks to be fully healthy.

I got to talk to Dewayne Staats for about 3 innings too. That was really cool. He is a great guy.

by Tamparays01 on Mar 7, 2010 7:58 PM EST reply actions

Excellent. Hopefully he can build his arm strength back up and be a nice late season addition

www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel

by Tommy Rancel on Mar 7, 2010 8:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

How'd T-Beck look?

by thedudeofdudes on Mar 7, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

He didn't mess up a play today and even made one nice play but he had two errors yesterday

by benderbrodriguez on Mar 7, 2010 8:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He had a throw sail on him because of poor footwork and got ate up by a grounder he was charging.

The one throw is just a footwork isssue, but the other one appearded to just be a tough play. I think he’ll be fine with the leather.

by rglass44 on Mar 8, 2010 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Dark...

by td32 on Mar 7, 2010 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

Average

Jun @TheRayTank

by Jun on Mar 7, 2010 9:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

lazy and athletic

by Dbullsfan on Mar 7, 2010 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

Good to hear on Staats and great news on McGee

as i’ve posted he, Joyce and S-Rod are my personal favs to watch this season

by sternfan1 on Mar 7, 2010 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

Rays are close to signing Blalock to a minor league deal

this comes from Topkin:

http://twitter.com/SPTimesRays/status/10148270319

by price14rays on Mar 7, 2010 11:23 PM EST reply actions

AF is really exited to bring back to back championships to Durham

by Dbullsfan on Mar 7, 2010 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Durham could probably make some noise in the ALC

"It's good to have a little cushion. But it's not going to be easy."

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Mar 8, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions

Shoppach for startin catcher.

by daveh33 on Mar 8, 2010 2:13 AM EST reply actions

Dodgers need a C for at least a month

They would prob take Navi back and they overpay, This is the same team that trade Carlos Santana for Casey Blake

Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!

by joeybw on Mar 8, 2010 2:56 AM EST up reply actions

I'm curious to see how AJ Ellis does

He has been a powerless OBP machine in AAA.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Mar 8, 2010 7:39 AM EST up reply actions

Good to see Brignac continue to hit (with power), and DJ rebounded nicely from his sore arm.

McGee without a walk is huge too. The arms available as the season wears on in the BP could be huge. Avoiding injury in the rotation could allow late-season callups to the BP of McGee, Torres, and/or Hellickson. Talk about talented bullpens.

by rglass44 on Mar 8, 2010 10:36 AM EST reply actions